Tessa was on her way out the door. “If you don’t have any plans tonight, I’ll be over at Mudflat Tavern around seven, munching on…”
“The famous fresh-cut french fries with chili and cheese sauce?” I interrupted.
“How’d you know?” she asked, turning around to face me.
“I grew up here and that was the only reason we ever went to Mudflat,” I said grinning, as the memories filled me with unexpected comfort. Even though there was a tavern in the name, it was a family restaurant, one that my family frequented quite a lot.
There was outside seating on a deck that overlooked the Sound. The restaurant even had a pier for boats to dock and pick up orders to go. I remembered one of the times I’d been there, I was running my hand along the old wooden deck railing when a splinter rammed right under my skin. It wasn’t a typical splinter. In fact, it looked more like a knitting needle once my father managed to get it out of my palm. When it happened, I didn’t say a word, but my dad knew immediately because I stopped moving, and my already pale face had competed with Casper to take home the award for most ghostly appearance. That was right before I fainted from the pain. Needless to say I got free cheese fries for life. Not that I would hold them to it after all these years… but I never trusted wood railings after that.
“So you understand their addictive quality?”
“Absolutely do and I’ll have to take you up on the offer next time. I’ve got some things I need to take care of tonight.”
“Totally. The offer is always there.” She flashed a grin and walked out of the classroom, leaving me alone with the ache of memories I’d never intended to visit today. I wanted to believe that being back here was going to be good for me, but as each day ticked by I wasn’t sure.
I pushed the folder with the students’ papers into my bag. My desk was as empty as it was when I entered this morning. I’d definitely need to bring in some fresh flowers or something to liven it up a bit.
The sound of the ladder jiggling had stopped so I snuck over to the window and before I had a chance to lift the blinds and close the window, a husky laugh washed over me from behind. I turned around to see the man, who’d been hanging outside my window, right in front of me, grinning as if he held a secret I wasn’t privy to.
And Tessa was right. He was the full, complete, impossibly perfect package. Every amazing ounce of him looked delicious. His gaze met mine, and all I could do was turn right back around to secure the window and hide my embarrassment for the second time in less than ten minutes.
“You know, we have feelings too,” he said bemused.
Oh, dear Lord.
As I worked the window shut, I flipped the locks in place and brought the blinds down once again before turning to face the music and the man. I let out a silent sigh and slid the smile off my lips. I didn’t need his head to get any bigger than it already was.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said, walking over to my desk.
“Oh, but I think you do.” He flashed an even wider grin, and my heart nearly stopped on the spot. I wanted to be swallowed up in the ground and transported all the way back to upstate New York. So I did what any normal human would do when faced with an overly cocky man, I grabbed my bag and walked past him.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” I muttered.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. By the sound of it though, the teachers around here do enough of that for me. But don’t listen to anything they tell you.” He winked, and I couldn’t help myself from stopping right where I was, which happened to be in the doorway, while I wondered how much he’d actually heard perched outside my window.
We both stood in silence for a few moments. His vibrant, blue eyes held an intensity that was intriguing as he let the words sink in. He definitely had the upper hand, but I would change that. The smile swept all the way through his expression, and it was impossible not to be a little interested in the man on the ladder, who was now smirking in front of me. His dark blond hair and olive skin tone was a disastrous combination for someone trying to stay uninterested. His broad shoulders filled out his shirt and the slouchy jeans he was wearing made my eyes want to do another dip, but I refused to give in.
He knew he was good-looking. There was no way a person could be that attractive and not know it, but there was also something absolutely adorable lurking behind his gaze. He was trouble, and I certainly wasn’t looking for trouble this summer. I’d left enough of it behind to last a lifetime.
He leaned along the doorway and stretched his arms slightly, but I refused to fall for it. I did not look down. I kept my gaze securely fastened on his. I was less than a foot away from him, and I felt every bit of that closeness. To say I felt electricity zipping between us would be a great disservice to the storm I felt brewing inside of me, and I wholly blamed the man in front of me for knowing how to make a woman swoon. It had to be a learned technique otherwise all the teachers here wouldn’t be under his spell. I was just annoyed with myself for falling for it or him or whatever this was swelling inside of me.
“So my real reason for popping in on you was to see if there was anything around the classroom that you needed fixed before summer school gets totally underway? I always like to get these rooms started first if there is a task that needs to be completed.”
I looked around the room and the only thing that could help this space was a complete overhaul, and I knew that wasn’t in the budget so I shook my head. “I hope to get the kids outside as much as possible.”
He tapped his fingers on the door and gave a slight nod. “Brave woman. Okay, well if you need to add anything to my list, I’m usually here on Fridays, but I wanted to get a jumpstart for the summer.”
“Thanks.” I said, attempting to get by him.
“So where do you plan on taking the students?” he asked.
I was surprised by his question, but even more thrilled that I’d made it all the way into the hallway. Distance from this man definitely worked in my favor.
“I’m not sure yet. There are so many amazing beaches close to the school that it’ll be hard to pick. Or I could take the students to one of the piers, and we could take a class on wooden boatbuilding. Although, I think getting that to fit into the history lessons might be challenging. I could definitely work it into the maritime history of the island, but only time will tell, which I don’t have much of. It’s probably going to be a very rough go of it. Getting the kids interested during summer school seems almost impossible.”
He’d moved into the hallway with me, and he grinned as his eyes fastened on something behind me. I turned to follow his gaze and saw a huge poster of a pelican. Each classroom was referred to as a seabird. I happened to be in the “pelican” classroom.
“So are you a pelican or a pelican’t?” he asked, his eyes twinkled with a mischief that made me want to know more about him.
“Excuse me?” I asked, not sure I heard him correctly.
“Are you a pelican or a pelican’t? You strike me as a pelican.” His brow rose, and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the most horribly wonderful pun ever heard by mankind. “But you were starting to sound like a pelican’t.”
“I suppose I’m in the former group.”
He folded his arms and his smile deepened. “And which group would that be?”
“I’m not going to say it.” I smiled, glancing at the noble pelican on the poster. I liked it even more now.
“You’re not going to say which group you fall into?” he asked.
“Nope.”
“Well, I’m a pelican. Always have been a pelican. Pelican’ts drive me nuts, but until I hear you say it, I guess I won’t know which group you truly fall into.”
Tessa poked her head out of her classroom and gave me the thumbs-up sign and I wanted to shoo her away. Everything about this encounter was so awkward and he was eating it up.
And I loved every second of it.
My cheeks were almost hurting from the amount of smil
ing that started when I first saw part of this man balanced outside the window, and it took everything in my power not to give into temptation and hand him what he wanted. But I was doing it for my own sanity. I couldn’t afford to start any relationships in the near or distant future.
“I guess you’ll just have to wait to see which group I fall into.”
“I don’t think I caught your name,” he said. “And it’s not listed on the door yet.”
“Victoria.” I didn’t dare ask for his.
He flashed a knowing grin, which worried me slightly, but I shook it off.
“Well, it was nice to meet you, Victoria. I hope I get the pleasure of standing on a ladder right outside your window next week, and just maybe you’ll sign up for summer school next year.”
My cheeks reddened again, and I let out a completely unattractive chortle-laugh and shook my head. “You heard that?”
“I heard it all.” He smiled and walked into my classroom, leaving me to wonder what in the world I’d gotten myself into.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Beyond Control...
“Knock. Knock,” Brandy hummed, tapping on the door lightly. “You ready?”
“Not really,” I replied, pointing at the stack of papers piled on my desk. “But I guess that probably doesn’t matter.” I smiled and pushed myself away from the desk.
“Not when it comes to your father.” She grinned. Brandy stepped into my office, and I gasped when I saw her. She was in the most gorgeous blue dress, and her dark brown hair was piled in loose curls on top of her head. With every movement, her dress shimmered and clung to all the right places, highlighting the beautiful caramel color of her skin.
“Whoa,” I said, grinning, suddenly feeling completely underdressed for tonight’s function. I looked down at my silver blouse, black pencil skirt, and red stilettos. I was proud of myself for wearing what I thought was a day-to-evening outfit like I always saw in the style magazines… and then Brandy steps into my office, blowing my wishful thinking to smithereens. It must be wonderful to always be so stunning.
“Your assistant cleans up nicely, huh?” she teased. Brandy was my best friend, who I’d met in college, and she knew me better than anyone.
“Your father figured this would happen,” she laughed. “So he sent something over. A courier brought it about an hour ago. I didn’t even peek.”
“You mean my stepmom knew this would happen,” I laughed.
“Same difference.”
I blew the stray hairs out of my face and couldn’t help but smile as I thought about my father. He always took such good care of me, especially since my mother’s death. Actually, that wasn’t completely true. His money always took very good care of me. I only saw him more now because I worked for one of his companies.
“Okay, let’s see it,” I sighed.
“Don’t even pretend you don’t want to play dress up.” She left my office and returned in a heartbeat with a garment bag and a Nordstrom sack dangling around the hanger.
“I honestly didn’t know it was such a big deal,” I said, tucking my hair behind my ear.
“That’s what black-tie means, dummy.” Brandy extended the garment bag toward me and gave an exasperated huff.
I peered nervously through the glass wall that looked over the sea of cubicles. This wasn’t something I wanted the rest of the employees to see. I’d already caught the animosity in the air about the fact that I worked here and didn’t have to start at the bottom. Brandy saw my apprehension and quickly closed the door and shut the automatic blinds.
“It’s not like I got an invitation. I’m his daughter. I just show up,” I replied, unzipping the garment bag to reveal a beautiful flowing chiffon dress. The fabric was soft lavender with tiny pearls stitched at the waistband, and beautiful lace appliques spreading from the hem up the skirt of the dress.
“I wanna see,” Brandy whined.
“It’s amazing and so… me,” I replied, taking the hanger from Brandy so she could take a look.
I loved Brandy’s dress on her, but it was so not me. Why? Because it was really tiny! One false move and nothing’s left to the imagination, but that was exactly how she liked it. I, on the other hand, built a world that kept ‘em guessing. That was my motto.
“Suddenly I’m no longer the belle of the ball,” she laughed. “Holy. Shit. Is this Valentino?”
I shrugged and felt the familiar heat run up my face. My fingers instinctively ran up the scar along my breastbone as I eyed the neckline. There was no hiding it in this dress.
“Nobody will care what’s being auctioned off tonight. They’ll all want you,” she gushed, noticing where my hand stalled. I could always count on her to make me feel better.
“Oh, please. This covers me all the way up. You’ll definitely be the one who everyone’s looking at,” I assured her.
“Doubtful,” she whispered, running her fingertips along the dress. “Let’s get you in this. We’re running late.”
I laid the garment bag across my desk, careful not to knock any of the papers onto the floor, and worked the dress cautiously out of the bag. Brandy unhooked the shoe bag and opened the box up.
“Of course, Jimmy Choo,” she said, dangling the lace pumps from her fingertips.
I glanced at the shoes, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit just how pretty they were. But it was uncomfortable. I’d made it all through college without anyone really knowing about my family’s wealth.
“You like them? You can have them after tonight,” I replied.
Brandy looked over at me and smiled, shaking her head. “Nope. They’re yours and I’m not going to accept them. Never have taken your icky hand-me-downs and never will.” She laughed and began unhooking the straps on the Choos.
I kicked off my heels, stripped out of my blouse and wriggled out of my skirt. So much for my bra in this dress. I unclasped it quickly and tossed it on the floor.
“Classy,” Brandy said, picking everything up for me. “Oh, I almost missed this,” she said, looking into the Nordstrom bag, pulling out a large jewelry box. “Want me to open it?”
I nodded as I slipped the dress over my head and felt the soft fabric cascade over my skin.
“Whoa,” she uttered, opening the box. “This is beautiful.”
She turned the box toward me, and the knot in my stomach—that I didn’t even realize was there—immediately diminished. So much for being cool and confident when it came to strapless dresses. As I looked in the box, a collared, sterling silver necklace with a large stone pendant was perfectly situated in tissue paper. This would cover up most of my scar…
“Nice,” I replied, smiling.
I positioned the front slit over my leg as Brandy zipped me up and centered the necklace around my neck, locking the clasp in place.
“You look stunning,” she said, stepping back.
The feeling of security the pendant provided as it dangled in the perfect place, gave me an extra dose of courage for the night. Something very few even knew I needed. I’d done a great job over the years explaining to everyone how well adjusted I’d become. Apparently, I hadn’t fooled my stepmom or Brandy for that matter.
“Hair okay?” I asked. I had placed it in a loose French knot this morning, and last I looked, it was still holding on.
“Yep. Let’s get going.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door. I snatched my purse out of the chair and followed her to the elevators.
“There should be plenty of cabs at this time,” I said, as we wound along the far wall of cubicles and waited for the elevator.
“Umm.” Brandy stepped into the elevator, refusing to look at me.
“Oh, no. Please tell me we aren’t going in the limo.”
“Your father sent it over. He texted me,” she replied, trying to hide her smile.
“That thing is such a spectacle, especially in Seattle. I always feel like I should see my high school date inside as it pulls up. Besides, Seattle thrives on bicycles as the
main mode of transportation,” I protested.
“Sorry,” she squealed. “But it sounds like the beast is going to be picking us up. And besides, can you really see yourself peddling on a bicycle in that outfit? Get real.”
I rolled my eyes and smiled as we stepped into the lobby. Sure enough the black stretch sedan was waiting for us beyond the doors.
“Let’s just hope we’ve got some hotties waiting for us at the ball,” Brandy said, winking. “Firemen, maybe, or how about some lawyers?”
“Yeah. Because that’s what always happens for us,” I retorted.
“Maybe we’ve struck out lately, but I know there’s hope out there for you and me. I mean if we can move past the whole blind date fiasco, it would be better for us all. You don’t have to keep reminding me. It was bad for us both.”
“Yeah. But you weren’t the one who wound up with Squiggy for an entire night. I was!” I shuddered at the memory.
“Right. Because my date, Father Time, was a far better choice,” she shot back.
“We’re screwed, aren’t we?” I laughed.
“I don’t know. I mean it might not be that bad being roomies forever,” she said, pretending to use a cane.
“Watching marathons of the Golden Girls is far different than living it.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “Even if we find a couple of someones worth talking to, I want to make sure to get home early tonight. I’ve got a lot on my plate tomorrow,” I said, watching Brandy’s expression fall.
“You certainly are a fuddy-dud for only being twenty-two.”
“Almost twenty-three,” I corrected. “And I don’t want to let my dad down. He didn’t have to give me this position.”
Beyond the Mistletoe: A Christmas Romance (Beyond Love Book 7) Page 19